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Login MSC Poesia is an innovative cruise ship with an elegant style that brings traditional craftsmanship to creative designs. Step aboard and you’ll enter a refined world of comfort. Whether your reason for being on board is a family holiday, a luxury treat or a romantic escape, MSC Poesia is a ship that offers a truly inspiring cruise experience.
First, this review may show as being only a 2-night Mediterranean. It wasn't. It was 17 days, Rome to Miami TA. 4/6-4/23/2026 I absolutely LOVED my cruise, even with some critiques. Understand that my main purpose for this cruise was to do a TA crossing, to be out in the ocean. And, I had zero expectations based on no prior experience. Also, being a widower about 16 months in, I had a hope (not an expectation) that this cruise would be a healing tonic while helping guide me into the next act of my life. This hope was fulfilled in ways I never dreamed of, mostly by meeting and conversing with a goodly number of different folks, who, in their own unwitting way became ingredients in that tonic. While I have heard of and read some negative reviews (some extremely harsh—including someone who just couldn't take it anymore and got off early in St. Maarten), those reviews seemed mostly to be from people who had extremely high expectations. I have the feeling these folks live their lives looking to complain about anything and everything. My dining companions (now friends) and other friends I made all turned out to not be like this, willing to take things as they were, even some of the negative stuff. The only truly negative incident I had was with an American couple—and really the "Karen" of that couple—who hogged an 8-person table in the buffet when I was looking for a seat at breakfast. She flat out lied to me, saying they were waiting for friends and I was not welcome to sit there. I kept an eye on them while I had my breakfast and sure enough, no one else showed up and they eventually got up and left! Some of the regular complaints I heard had to do with the food. I wasn't there for the food and fortunately I'm no gourmand. So, on the whole I found the food more than satisfying and filling. (It was funny that what they called Salisbury steak and country fried steak were just grilled steaks!) MSC Poesia was in dry dock with some significant retrofitting from February until a day prior to my sail date of April 6 out of Civitavecchia. This meant that in a way this was a shakedown cruise, and learning this helped me to understand better why there were various issues needing to be worked out. And, the crew, being all new (to each other—my steward was great, and has been working with MSC for 20 years), necessarily would need some time to start gelling as a team or teams. I was disappointed to learn when I boarded that the retrofit eliminated the library and card room (cigar room was eliminated, too, but that wasn't my thing). I also wanted to find forward looking decks, and while I somewhat already knew getting on the bow itself wasn't likely, I couldn't find any obvious access. When I asked three different crew members who probably would know about access, none of them told me there was access (past the staterooms on Decks 9 through 11). I only learned on the last sea day before arriving in Miami from one of my new friends who had a forward cabin on Deck 9, that yes, indeed, there was access. Turned out that forward-looking deck seemed barely used and was not lit up at night like the aft decks, so I was able to see the stars at night. I have a suspicion that crew members might not have wanted guests to know about this because maybe they preferred to hang out there. And yet, in those few hours I had on that day to maximize my time (mid-afternoon and after dinner) I only ever saw one other passenger out there and no crew. I enjoyed meeting people, but I also enjoyed finding quiet outside places from which I could be mesmerized by the ocean, and the latter was easy enough to find. It seems most people principally hung out either on the Lido deck or in the lounges and buffet (with a few in the casino). Fine by me, but honestly I don't get that! I wanted to be as close to and connected with the water as possible. I had an ocean view cabin forward on Deck 5, which is the lowest stateroom deck on the Poesia, and offered wonderful splashing views on the couple days when the seas were a bit rough. I ate that up! Before learning about the forward decks, Deck 7 was my favorite place to go. It's directly under the lifeboats and so also close to the water. There were no chairs out there. So, when in Funchal, Madeira, I went to a camping/outdoor store and bought myself a small and packable three-legged stool so I could sit out there. Often, especially in the early AM, it was just me and the sea. As such, I had the rare opportunity to spot a whale or whales, and got some great videos of a Brown Booby (seabird) flying very close to the ship in its hunt for flying fish. The cruise did prove to have a significant mix of nationalities. I liked that. The entertainment itself ranged from spotty to pretty good. One of the lounge singers I felt should probably have just stuck to karaoke. Some entertainers in the theater struck me as street buskers who made it to the big time. But again, I wasn't there for the entertainment. I was there for the sea. I suppose I did have one expectation which proved to be unfulfilled. I somehow through research got the notion that there might be a variety of interesting lectures. Not so with the Poesia. Very limited in this department. More than one passenger had complaints about the Cruise Director along these and other lines. Others liked him, though. Again, not a big deal. Finally, when we docked in Grand Turk (which was a change to the itinerary owing to project rough seas for docking at Ocean Cay) we docked next to the Carnival Mardi Gras, a massive ship by comparison to the Poesia. Honestly, I could never see myself being on such a large ship (much less a Carnival one in the Caribbean, owing to what I learned of its reputation as catering to the heavy drinking and hard partying crowd). The size of the Poesia and the mix of passengers was just right for my tastes. Bottom line: would I do it again? Without hesitation! Any regrets? Only one: not finding the forward decks until the last sea day.
Although I have cruised for over 20 years, I had never cruised with MSC. I booked a week as it was a good time for us to go, excellent price and the itinerary suited us. I read the reviews and thought ‘Oh well, it’s only a week’. What a pleasant surprise! Great cabin, excellent staff and facilities and I really, really don’t know why people are so disparaging. Someone said it smelt of sewage… I assume they were pumping out and it lasts a very short time and every ship does this. Others got grumpy about the shows- only short- well frankly I would rather have good than long and less good! Embarkation was smooth and efficient and our bags arrived promptly. Staff were welcoming, smiling and helpful. The food was plentiful and there were many choices. I also liked the dining room breakfast option- excellent quality. Well done MSC - we will be back.
Guests can choose from a variety of different accommodation, from interior and ocean-view cabins to balcony cabins and spacious suites.
A choice of 3 distinct dining venues promises something special for every taste, while the wide range of bars and lounge on board offer refreshment and relaxation in the ideal atmosphere for every moment.
Seek the extraordinary and make your cruise holiday an unforgettable adventure.
We offer an incredible choice of shore excursions to suit every taste: whether you prefer adventure, nature, culture or history, we’ve designed something for you and the whole family.
From Culture & History and our breathtaking Scenic Routes, to our Active & Adventure tours and the discovery of Natural Wonders, to Sea & Sun’s relax, our Something Special experiences and our Accessible Tours, you can enjoy the treasures of each destination in your preferred way.
We’ve also established the MSC Family Explorer Club, Excursions Explorer Package and MSC Bike Adventours, which are unique to our line and available on selected MSC Cruises' itineraries.
The superb amenities on board include 3 swimming pools, 4 whirlpool baths and a giant poolside cinema screen. Kids and teens are also well served, with their own clubs and parties, a dedicated Dinosaur Play Area, video games and even a disco!
From the spectacular foyer waterfall to the Zen Garden, authentic Japanese Sushi bar and opulent MSC Aurea Spa wellness centre with its steam room, sauna and divine massages designed to pamper body and mind, MSC Poesia is full of great places to unwind.
MSC family cruises are designed for parents and children to enjoy fun times together and quality time separately. That's why we’re proud to have built a renowned reputation as a company that knows how to create the best cruises for kids.
Today we continue to deliver on that reputation by paying extra attention to the needs of children, tweens, teens and their parents: so book your cruise and immerse in a World of Discovery!
